Fender's Rock Band 3 Guitar Priced and Dated

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Official release details of the fully functional guitar and controller.

By Scott Lowe

When Rock Band 3 was first introduced, Harmonix announced that they would be teaming up with the legendary guitar manufacturer, Fender, to produce a fully functional guitar that would be compatible with the game's new pro mode. Since that time, we were given an opportunity to check out the Squier by Fender Stratocaster Guitar and Controller first-hand, but neither Fender nor Harmonix have been able to confirm when the product would be available or how much it would cost, until now.

According to Fender's official website, the Fender Squier Stratocaster Guitar and Controller will be available for pre-order starting January 1 and will ship to customers and retailers on March 1 of next year. Most importantly, the guitar/controller hybrid can be yours for $279.99.

Unlike Mad Catz's official Fender Mustang Pro Guitar Controller, the plastic peripheral that uses a complex button and string box design, the Squier by Fender Stratocaster Guitar and Controller is a full-size electric guitar with a full 22-fret maple neck, and steel strings. The fretboard features position-sensing technology that determines a player's performance note-for-note and a specialized bridge pickup detects how a player strums or picks each string. It can be plugged into an guitar amp and played like any other electric guitar, and since it features digital sensor technology, even supports MIDI output for professional digital recording.

For more information on the Squier by Fender Stratocaster Guitar and Controller, you can sign up for updates on Fender.com, and as always, stay tuned to IGN.com.